Chamber Patrons Chamber Patrons Greater Birmingham Chambers’ leading supporters In Brief


The full-scale of the HS2 jobs bonanza is revealed in an independent report carried out by Albion Economics and published by High Speed Rail Industry Leaders. By analysing the contracts already issued by HS2 Ltd and the programme for the coming years, and considering both direct roles at HS2 Ltd and throughout the supply chain, the independent report reveals that: • By 2020, 26,650 people will have worked on the HS2 project throughout the supply chain. Two-thirds of these roles will be in construction, with the remaining one-third made up of designers and management roles. By 2020, HS2 will employ more people than any other infrastructure project in the UK. • Of these jobs, more than half will be created by the contracts already out to tender from HS2 • A substantial proportion of these roles will take the form of apprenticeships. Overall in Phase 1, if apprenticeship levels are achieved at the levels suggested by the Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy, then we would expect HS2 Phase 1 to support between 5,000 and 9,000 new apprenticeships. This will make one of the biggest apprenticeship schemes in the UK. The National High Speed Rail College, based in Birmingham and Doncaster, has a key role to play in developing young people for these opportunities.


Aston University has been shortlisted for Entrepreneurial University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2016. The awards attract hundreds


of entries ever year that “exemplify the talent, dedication and innovation of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life”. Aston supports students to set


up a successful business through schemes including Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network (BSEEN). Professor Paul Maropoulos,


pro-vice chancellor for research and enterprise, said: “Enterprise is at the heart of what we do at Aston; it is embedded in our culture and underpins a wide range of our activities.” The winner will be announced in London on 24 November.


20 CHAMBERLINK October 2016


Contact: Henrietta Brealey T: 0121 607 1898


Stuart Richards welcomes the new apprentices


University launches apprenticeship scheme


The University of Birmingham has welcomed 17 apprentices to its Edgbaston campus as part of its newly-launched apprenticeship scheme. A new programme for the university, the


apprenticeship scheme provides opportunities to gain high-quality skills and experience as they take their first steps into work. The apprentices have been recruited into a variety of


roles across the university’s professional support services, from estates to catering, IT to nursery care, following a recruitment initiative at the start of the year.


‘Our apprenticeship programme will support the university’s civic responsibility to be a diverse and inclusive employer’


Stuart Richards, director of hospitality and accommodation services at the University of Birmingham said: “We are delighted to be able to offer an apprenticeship programme and create a number of opportunities for people from across the city. “Our apprenticeship programme will support the


university’s civic responsibility to be a diverse and inclusive employer within the city and help to secure a strong future workforce on campus.” The apprentices spent their first week getting to


know the university through a variety of workshops and meet and greet sessions, culminating with a tree planting at the end of the week to mark the start of their journey. The new 12-month scheme allows apprentices to


earn while they learn, combining practical training in a job with study for a recognised qualification.


Each apprentice will have a manager and a mentor, enabling a personal service to be delivered to every apprentice in the project. As well as the formal course, they will be able to take


part in networking and career development activities on campus. The university will be supporting the apprentices


through pastoral care and career development advice to ensure that they reach their career potential. The scheme has been developed in conjunction with


Babington Apprenticeships Ltd, with several local training providers supporting the project by delivering on-the job training. Dzintars Romans, one of the 17 apprentices who is


embracing the opportunity to work in IT, said: “So far working here has been an amazing experience and I encourage anyone looking for an apprenticeship to consider the university of Birmingham as an option.”


High praise for quality


Students at the University of Birmingham have praised the quality of teaching and learning offered in the latest figures announced by the National Student Survey. The National Student Survey – the most


comprehensive measure of student satisfaction within higher education – has awarded the University of Birmingham an overall satisfaction mark of 89 per cent. Students praised the quality of teaching on offer at Birmingham, giving the university a satisfaction rating of 90 per cent for teaching and learning.


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